Neuropositive

In this Hotline episode, Phyllis answers a listener question about how we can prevent neurodivergent girls from falling through the cracks, emphasizing: Why we understand so little about neurodivergence in girls in the first place How neurodivergence presents differently in boys vs. girls What happens to our girls when they grow up undiagnosed Practical insights on how to support neurodivergent gi...

In September, Secretary of Health & Human Services, RFK Jr., made the claim that Tylenol use during pregnancy shows a strong link to increased rates of autism. But is this true? In this deep-dive episode we look at the link between Tylenol and autism including: What the data from the study of Tylenol use during pregnancy *actually* revealed  Why shifting the narrative from accommodation &...

What's the difference between equality and equity and why does it matter? In this episode, Phyllis discusses why precision in our language around advocacy and disability rights is so important. You'll learn: What equality is and how, though well intentioned, it can actually create unfair outcomes What equity is and why it's the foundation for all humans to be successful and thrive A simple analogy...

Are you an ADHDer who's used every productivity trick in the book but still can't get yourself to start uninteresting tasks or finish what you've started? It's not you, it's your brain!  In this fun and relatable conversation Phyllis talks with Kendall Delamont of the ADHD Toolkit. Kendall shares her journey from classroom teacher to late-diagnosed ADHDer to ADHD educator and advocate. We discuss...

That's a wrap! In this short episode Phyllis checks-in about wrapping up Season 1 of Neuropositive for the summer and what to look forward to in Season 2... Stay tuned for episode 1 of season 2 dropping on Tuesday, September 2nd!   Neuropositive Website | Instagram

Are you trying traditional parenting advice and rules only to feel like nothing works and you're somehow getting it wrong? You're not alone. If you're raising a child with a PDA profile you can feel like you're living in perpetual Opposite Day because most of what we're told "works" totally backfires. Amanda Diekman is an autistic PDA mother to three neurodivergent children and the author of the g...

Let's address the recent controversial comments made by RFK about autism. Besides his speech being factually incorrect and laced with scientific inaccuracies, RFK positing autism as an epidemic that is destroying children and families is harmful for a number of reasons: Distracts us from advocating for systemic change, better support, and accommodations for autistic individuals Divides parents of...

  On March 30th, Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. Some are cheering the move while others, especially parents of children with learning and/or developmental disabilities, are scared. Who's right?   In this episode of Neuropositive, we're digging into the Department of Education and laying out the facts including: When and why the DOEd was created Wha...

Ever wonder why your partner does that thing?! Or frustrated that your partner doesn't get what you need as a ND person?  In this episode we talk with Jackie Kelley-- author, illustrator, mom, wife and neurodiversity advocate. Jackie shares her journey with ADHD, from her late diagnosis to coping with anxiety, depression, and sensory issues. We discuss:   Why motherhood is often the catalyst for u...

After taking a needed mental health break, Phyllis is back and covering a current event you may not have heard of in the news: the court case Texas v. Becerra and why it's important, even if you don't have children in public school. The lawsuit was initiated in September, 2024 led by Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas along with 16 other states and argues that Section 504 of The Rehabilitation A...

How often have your heard a parent say that they suspect their child is autistic or ADHD but they don't want them to grow up having "that label"? In this episode of the Neuropositive Podcast, Phyllis discusses why neurodivergent labels are important and the power of talking openly about them with our children. Highlights include: How avoiding labels such as autism, ADHD, bipolar, etc. is a form of...

In this week's episode, Phyllis critiques the wildly popular 'Telepathy Tapes' podcast. The Telepathy Tapes is a documentary-style podcast that explores the possible phenomenon of non-speaking autistic people and telepathic abilities. Despite her admiration for producer Kai Dickens' work, Phyllis finds the telepathy podcast deeply problematic, including: Lack of scientific process and real evidenc...

In this Hotline episode, Phyllis answers a listener question about how teachers (and others who work in schools) can better support neurodivergent children.  Drawing from her own experiences with various educational environments for her daughter, Phyllis emphasizes: The importance of recognizing and accommodating individual needs in the classroom Understanding that all behavior is communication Wh...

In this episode of Neuropositive, we're tackling a topic that's highly relevant to parents raising neurodivergent children-- screen time. We talk with Ash Brandin,  EdS (they/them) who has been a public school educator for over a decade. In that time they found innovative ways of using student interests --including video games-- to increase engagement and make learning more fun and effective. Sinc...

In this episode of Neurpositive, Phyllis Brasenell offers empathy and guidance for parents and caregivers of newly identified neurodivergent children. Several years into her journey, she shares what she wishes she'd known when her daughter was first identified as autistic. No matter the flavor of neurodivergence -- whether it's ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, autism, etc.-- you'll walk away from t...

  In this first episode of the Neuropositive Podcast I share my personal journey as a late-diagnosed ADHD mom to neurodivergent daughters. In this episode I unpack what I believe a Neuropositive future looks like, the need to address the intersectionality of neurodiversity with issues like race, class, and gender, and the importance of creating an inclusive, supportive community.    I also offer a...

An affirming podcast about celebrating neurodivergence in every form with conversations that are both pragmatic and heartfelt. Subscribe now!